Summary of Press Briefing
during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat

By Mr. Panidone Pachimsawat, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and the Deputy Spokesperson of the MFA

on 29 January 2026, Cebu, the Philippines

• H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat and the bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, in Cebu, the Philippines.

1. ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat)

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, which marked the first ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the year under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship, held under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”.
  
  
• The meeting expressed readiness to support the key priorities of the ASEAN Chair for this year, which include (1) enhancing ASEAN cooperation to address major regional challenges amid global political and economic volatility, (2) concluding negotiations on the ASEAN–Canada Free Trade Agreement and signing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) within the year, (3) promoting the green transition and energy connectivity in the region, and (4) strengthening climate security through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and enhancing disaster preparedness.
  
  
• Thailand underscored the importance of (1) upholding regionalism and strengthening ASEAN’s unity, resilience, and continued relevance, (2) proposing ways to support the ASEAN Chair in ensuring continuity of key priorities while enabling timely and effective responses to emerging regional challenges, and (3) maintaining a sustained and serious commitment to addressing online scams. In this regard, Thailand proposed advancing the outcomes of the International Conference on the Global Partnership against Online Scams, hosted by Thailand in December 2025, through ASEAN mechanisms and processes.
  
  
• Regarding Myanmar, Thailand emphasized the need for ASEAN to adjust its approach and engagement with Myanmar in line with the post-election developments. Thailand reaffirmed its readiness to support the continued and effective work of the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy and to facilitate dialogue among relevant stakeholders in Myanmar.

2. Bilateral Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR on the sidelines of the AMM Retreat

• Both sides expressed satisfaction with the close and strong relations between Thailand and the Lao PDR. They discussed preparations for future high-level visits, cooperation in the energy sector, and key connectivity projects, including the construction of a new railway bridge between Nong Khai and Vientiane, and the proposed Sixth Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge between Ubon Ratchathani and Salavan.
  
  
• Both sides also exchanged views on the Thailand - Cambodia border situation and post-election developments in Myanmar.